Tweak the New Whip Rule?

It is a  rather dark and gloomy morning at Pond House but still no rain, only 1/2mm overnight.  David has no runners today with the jumps action being at Wetherby but he does have entries at both tomorrow's jump fixtures at Uttoxeter and Wincanton.  Check back here in the morning for more news of the runners.  Meanwhile the gallops and hard work continue back at the yard and I have a few more photos of the string in action.  My first picture is of Arrayan and Decoy working upsides.  Both have enjoyed a nice summer break and are working nicely at home.  Arrayan was twice a winner over hurdles last year and was unlucky not to complete the hat-trick at Taunton.  Decoy is a winner in France and ran his best race in this country when finishing second at Newton About, only beaten a neck back in May. 

                       Arrayan & Decoy

My second photos is of Bathwick Brave and Shoegazer who are both owned by Wayne and Sarah Clifford of Bathwick Tyres, our stable sponsor.  Bathwick Brave ran well and was placed in two Bumpers last season and has really grown an matured over the summer and is a nice prospect for novice hurdles this year.  Shoegazer is the winner of two hurdle races and a point to point and we are looking forward to a nice winter campaign with him as well.  

              Bathwick Brave & Shoegazer

Now the champ AP is calling on the BHA for some urgent tweaking on the new whip rule.  I watched the racing from Huntingdon yesterday and AP won the 3m2f handicap chase on Lost Glory in a driving finish with Winter Alchemy.  The jockey on the runner up was Brian Harding and he used the whip six times and said "the new rules definitely cost me the race".  I agree with Harding and think that he would have won the race under old rules.  In what sport do you hear someone saying I woul rather be second and keep the prize money and riding fee than actually win the race.  That is what Eddie Ahern has said and he was echoing the thoughts of another top rider William Buick.  Name another sport where people would rather be second than win, surely it cannot be right.  It will turn our sport into a joke.  Perhaps the BHA can consider revising the rule so that this does not happen.

In the football last night it was a good win for Ireland over Armenia and they are now in the play offs for the 2012 European Championships.  They are 6/5 with Hills to qualify and it would be great if they do.

I thought David Haye was retiring from Boxing after the last flight against Klitschko.  Although to be honest I thought he had retired before that fight started!  Anyway he is odds on to fight again.  It just shows you what money can do because he has got no chance of winning.